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Read the Scope of Practice
Read the Safety Standards
Read the Indoor Cycling Instructor Standards Policy
Status: ICI professional conduct guidance
Applies to: ICI members, ICI-recognised instructors, ICI tutors, and instructors undertaking ICI education
Also suitable for: indoor cycling instructors, studios, employers, and training providers seeking a reference point for professional conduct
Purpose: To set out the standards of professional behaviour expected within the Indoor Cycling Institute’s work
Applies to: ICI members, ICI-recognised instructors, ICI tutors, and instructors undertaking ICI education
Also suitable for: indoor cycling instructors, studios, employers, and training providers seeking a reference point for professional conduct
Purpose: To set out the standards of professional behaviour expected within the Indoor Cycling Institute’s work
Professional conduct is fundamental to quality instruction.
The ICI Code of Professional Conduct sets out the principles and expectations that underpin professional behaviour in indoor cycling instruction. It is intended to support safe, effective, ethical, and respectful practice, and to help instructors, riders, studios, and employers understand what professional conduct should look like in real indoor cycling settings.
This Code sits within the wider ICI Professional Standards Framework. It should be read alongside the Indoor Cycling Instructor Scope of Practice, ICI Safety Standards for Indoor Cycling Sessions, ICI Cadence and Intensity Guidance, ICI New Rider Onboarding Standard, and ICI Guidance for Studios and Operators.
The ICI Code of Professional Conduct sets out the principles and expectations that underpin professional behaviour in indoor cycling instruction. It is intended to support safe, effective, ethical, and respectful practice, and to help instructors, riders, studios, and employers understand what professional conduct should look like in real indoor cycling settings.
This Code sits within the wider ICI Professional Standards Framework. It should be read alongside the Indoor Cycling Instructor Scope of Practice, ICI Safety Standards for Indoor Cycling Sessions, ICI Cadence and Intensity Guidance, ICI New Rider Onboarding Standard, and ICI Guidance for Studios and Operators.
1. Purpose of the Code
The purpose of this Code is to:
- support rider safety and wellbeing;
- promote professionalism, accountability, and good judgement;
- set clear expectations for behaviour and boundaries;
- support honest and competent instruction;
- reinforce the standards expected of ICI members and ICI-recognised instructors;
- provide a reference point for studios, employers, and riders;
- support the development of indoor cycling as a specialist professional discipline.
2. Who this Code applies to
This Code applies within the context of the Indoor Cycling Institute’s work.
It is expected to be upheld by:
Where an instructor holds ICI membership or recognition, serious or persistent breaches of this Code may be considered in relation to that status.
It is expected to be upheld by:
- ICI members;
- ICI-recognised instructors;
- ICI tutors;
- instructors undertaking education delivered through ICI programmes;
- individuals representing ICI in any formal capacity.
Where an instructor holds ICI membership or recognition, serious or persistent breaches of this Code may be considered in relation to that status.
3. Professional honesty
Indoor cycling instructors should act honestly and transparently.
They should not misrepresent their certification, experience, insurance, ICI membership, ICI recognition, star status, CPD record, role, or professional competence.
Instructors should be clear about what they are trained and competent to offer. They should not imply specialist expertise, clinical knowledge, rehabilitation competence, or advanced coaching ability unless this is accurate and supported by appropriate training, certification, experience, and insurance. They should be aware that performing beyond the bounds and remit of their training can void their insurance.
Where an instructor is unsure whether something sits within their competence, they should seek guidance, undertake appropriate training, or refer the rider to a more suitable professional.
They should not misrepresent their certification, experience, insurance, ICI membership, ICI recognition, star status, CPD record, role, or professional competence.
Instructors should be clear about what they are trained and competent to offer. They should not imply specialist expertise, clinical knowledge, rehabilitation competence, or advanced coaching ability unless this is accurate and supported by appropriate training, certification, experience, and insurance. They should be aware that performing beyond the bounds and remit of their training can void their insurance.
Where an instructor is unsure whether something sits within their competence, they should seek guidance, undertake appropriate training, or refer the rider to a more suitable professional.
4. Working within scope and competence
Instructors should work within their qualification, training, experience, insurance, and competence.
They should understand the boundaries of the indoor cycling instructor role and should not provide advice or services outside that role unless separately qualified and insured to do so.
Unless appropriately qualified and working within that role, an instructor should not:
They should understand the boundaries of the indoor cycling instructor role and should not provide advice or services outside that role unless separately qualified and insured to do so.
Unless appropriately qualified and working within that role, an instructor should not:
- diagnose medical conditions;
- treat injuries or medical conditions;
- prescribe exercise for clinical conditions;
- provide physiotherapy, rehabilitation, or clinical exercise advice;
- override medical advice given to a rider;
- provide nutritional, psychological, medical, or therapeutic advice outside their competence;
- promise specific health, fitness, weight-loss, or rehabilitation outcomes.
5. Rider safety and care
Instructors should place rider safety and care at the centre of their practice.
They should plan and deliver sessions that are safe, purposeful, and appropriate for the riders in front of them. They should provide clear guidance on bike set-up, cadence, resistance, intensity, riding position, warm-up, cool-down, and safe stopping.
Instructors should not knowingly teach in a way that places riders at unnecessary risk.
They should avoid programming, demonstrating, or encouraging movements or practices that compromise control, stability, effective resistance, safe cadence, or the rider’s ability to maintain proper contact with the bike.
Where a rider appears unsafe, unwell, unstable, confused, or out of control, the instructor should respond appropriately.
They should plan and deliver sessions that are safe, purposeful, and appropriate for the riders in front of them. They should provide clear guidance on bike set-up, cadence, resistance, intensity, riding position, warm-up, cool-down, and safe stopping.
Instructors should not knowingly teach in a way that places riders at unnecessary risk.
They should avoid programming, demonstrating, or encouraging movements or practices that compromise control, stability, effective resistance, safe cadence, or the rider’s ability to maintain proper contact with the bike.
Where a rider appears unsafe, unwell, unstable, confused, or out of control, the instructor should respond appropriately.
6. Safe and effective instruction
Instructors should deliver sessions that are technically sound and professionally coached.
They should:
They should:
- plan sessions with a clear purpose;
- provide an appropriate warm-up and cool-down;
- coach cadence and intensity clearly;
- use resistance safely and effectively;
- give clear and accurate instructions;
- provide meaningful options where appropriate;
- monitor riders during the session;
- intervene where unsafe riding is observed;
- avoid relying only on motivation, personality, or music;
- be able to explain the rationale for session design and instruction.
7. Respectful treatment of riders
Instructors should treat riders with respect.
They should avoid humiliation, intimidation, mockery, aggressive pressure, favouritism, discrimination, or language that shames riders for their fitness, appearance, ability, confidence, age, body size, sex, disability, background, or level of experience.
Encouragement should not become coercion. Riders should not be pressured to ignore pain, dizziness, breathlessness, distress, loss of control, or personal limits.
Riders should be able to reduce intensity, remain seated, take recovery, ask questions, or stop without being mocked or treated as a problem.
They should avoid humiliation, intimidation, mockery, aggressive pressure, favouritism, discrimination, or language that shames riders for their fitness, appearance, ability, confidence, age, body size, sex, disability, background, or level of experience.
Encouragement should not become coercion. Riders should not be pressured to ignore pain, dizziness, breathlessness, distress, loss of control, or personal limits.
Riders should be able to reduce intensity, remain seated, take recovery, ask questions, or stop without being mocked or treated as a problem.
8. Inclusion and fairness
Instructors should aim to create a class environment in which riders are treated fairly and with dignity.
This includes being aware that riders may differ in experience, confidence, fitness, health status, communication needs, and familiarity with indoor cycling.
Instructors should provide clear guidance and reasonable options where appropriate, while still working within the limits of their role, competence, and the class setting.
Fairness does not mean every rider must do the same thing. It means riders should be treated with equal respect and given appropriate support to participate safely.
This includes being aware that riders may differ in experience, confidence, fitness, health status, communication needs, and familiarity with indoor cycling.
Instructors should provide clear guidance and reasonable options where appropriate, while still working within the limits of their role, competence, and the class setting.
Fairness does not mean every rider must do the same thing. It means riders should be treated with equal respect and given appropriate support to participate safely.
9. Professional boundaries
Instructors should maintain appropriate professional boundaries with riders, colleagues, students, and staff.
They should avoid behaviour that exploits trust, creates pressure, blurs professional roles, or makes others uncomfortable.
Professional boundaries include:
They should avoid behaviour that exploits trust, creates pressure, blurs professional roles, or makes others uncomfortable.
Professional boundaries include:
- using appropriate language and behaviour;
- respecting personal space;
- avoiding inappropriate personal comments;
- not using the class as a platform for ego, personal drama, or undue influence;
- not pressuring riders into personal relationships, purchases, beliefs, or services;
- being careful with social media contact and public comments;
- referring concerns through appropriate channels.
10. Confidentiality and discretion
Instructors may become aware of information about riders, students, colleagues, or venues.
They should handle such information with discretion and professionalism. They should avoid gossip, unnecessary sharing, public discussion of private matters, or posting identifiable information without appropriate permission.
Where safeguarding, safety, legal, employer, or venue procedures require information to be shared, instructors should follow the appropriate process.
Confidentiality should not be used to hide genuine safety concerns.
They should handle such information with discretion and professionalism. They should avoid gossip, unnecessary sharing, public discussion of private matters, or posting identifiable information without appropriate permission.
Where safeguarding, safety, legal, employer, or venue procedures require information to be shared, instructors should follow the appropriate process.
Confidentiality should not be used to hide genuine safety concerns.
11. Professional accountability
Instructors should take responsibility for their own actions, decisions, and professional judgement.
They should respond constructively to feedback, concerns, complaints, incidents, and near-misses.
Where something has gone wrong, or could have gone wrong, the instructor should not simply dismiss it as rider error or bad luck. They should consider whether instruction, class design, rider onboarding, bike set-up, cadence, resistance, intensity, environment, or studio procedure may have contributed.
Professional accountability means being willing to learn, not being defensive for the sake of it.
They should respond constructively to feedback, concerns, complaints, incidents, and near-misses.
Where something has gone wrong, or could have gone wrong, the instructor should not simply dismiss it as rider error or bad luck. They should consider whether instruction, class design, rider onboarding, bike set-up, cadence, resistance, intensity, environment, or studio procedure may have contributed.
Professional accountability means being willing to learn, not being defensive for the sake of it.
12. Raising concerns
Instructors should raise genuine concerns through appropriate channels.
This may include concerns about:
Concerns should be raised in good faith, with factual information and without malice.
This may include concerns about:
- unsafe equipment;
- poor bike maintenance;
- unsafe class formats;
- lack of new rider onboarding;
- late arrivals being admitted unsafely;
- unsupervised virtual or on-demand sessions;
- repeated rider loss of control;
- inadequate incident reporting;
- pressure to teach outside competence;
- unsafe or unethical behaviour by another instructor, studio, or organisation.
Concerns should be raised in good faith, with factual information and without malice.
13. Insurance, policies, and legal responsibilities
Instructors should hold appropriate insurance where required and should understand the conditions of that insurance.
They should follow relevant employer, venue, safeguarding, health and safety, data protection, and emergency procedures where these apply.
Where a venue policy appears to conflict with safe practice, the instructor should not ignore the issue. They should raise the concern through the appropriate route and avoid delivering instruction in a way they believe to be unsafe.
This Code does not replace legal processes, employer disciplinary procedures, insurance conditions, or statutory duties.
Insurance can be voided through practising beyond the instructor’s training and capabilities, for instance, instructing moves or practices not included the instructor’s training.
They should follow relevant employer, venue, safeguarding, health and safety, data protection, and emergency procedures where these apply.
Where a venue policy appears to conflict with safe practice, the instructor should not ignore the issue. They should raise the concern through the appropriate route and avoid delivering instruction in a way they believe to be unsafe.
This Code does not replace legal processes, employer disciplinary procedures, insurance conditions, or statutory duties.
Insurance can be voided through practising beyond the instructor’s training and capabilities, for instance, instructing moves or practices not included the instructor’s training.
14. Continuing professional development
Instructors should maintain and develop their knowledge over time.
Indoor cycling practice, equipment, rider expectations, technology, and safety understanding all evolve. Instructors should remain willing to learn, reflect, update their practice, and engage with relevant CPD.
ICI members and ICI-recognised instructors may be expected to complete or evidence CPD according to the membership or recognition requirements that apply to them.
Professional development should include not only performance or class delivery skills, but also safety, rider care, communication, technical coaching, intensity guidance, and professional judgement.
Indoor cycling practice, equipment, rider expectations, technology, and safety understanding all evolve. Instructors should remain willing to learn, reflect, update their practice, and engage with relevant CPD.
ICI members and ICI-recognised instructors may be expected to complete or evidence CPD according to the membership or recognition requirements that apply to them.
Professional development should include not only performance or class delivery skills, but also safety, rider care, communication, technical coaching, intensity guidance, and professional judgement.
15. Representing ICI
Instructors who hold ICI membership, recognition, endorsement, tutor status, or other formal association with ICI should represent that status accurately and responsibly.
They should not suggest that ICI recognition gives them authority, qualifications, insurance, or permissions that it does not provide.
They should not use ICI’s name, logo, materials, course content, resources, or recognition status in a misleading way.
Where an instructor is representing ICI formally, they should act in a way that supports the Institute’s standards, reputation, and professional aims.
They should not suggest that ICI recognition gives them authority, qualifications, insurance, or permissions that it does not provide.
They should not use ICI’s name, logo, materials, course content, resources, or recognition status in a misleading way.
Where an instructor is representing ICI formally, they should act in a way that supports the Institute’s standards, reputation, and professional aims.
16. Conduct towards colleagues and the professional community
Instructors should treat colleagues, students, tutors, studio staff, and other professionals with respect.
They may disagree with another instructor’s methods, studio practice, or industry trend, but should do so professionally.
Constructive challenge is appropriate where safety or standards are involved. Personal attacks, harassment, gossip, or public hostility are not.
Instructors are encouraged to support newer or developing instructors where appropriate and to contribute positively to the professional development of the sector.
They may disagree with another instructor’s methods, studio practice, or industry trend, but should do so professionally.
Constructive challenge is appropriate where safety or standards are involved. Personal attacks, harassment, gossip, or public hostility are not.
Instructors are encouraged to support newer or developing instructors where appropriate and to contribute positively to the professional development of the sector.
17. Breaches of the Code
Where an instructor holds ICI membership, recognition, endorsement, or tutor status, serious or persistent breaches of this Code may be considered in relation to that status.
This may include review, suspension, withdrawal, or termination of membership or instructor status, recognition, endorsement, or tutor status where appropriate.
Any action taken by ICI relates only to its own membership, recognition, endorsement, education, or tutor arrangements. This Code does not replace legal processes, employer procedures, statutory obligations, safeguarding procedures, or insurance requirements.
This may include review, suspension, withdrawal, or termination of membership or instructor status, recognition, endorsement, or tutor status where appropriate.
Any action taken by ICI relates only to its own membership, recognition, endorsement, education, or tutor arrangements. This Code does not replace legal processes, employer procedures, statutory obligations, safeguarding procedures, or insurance requirements.
18. Whistleblowing and concerns
The Indoor Cycling Institute supports the reporting of genuine concerns related to professional conduct, rider safety, and breaches of this Code.
Retaliation against individuals who raise concerns in good faith is not supported.
Code-related questions or concerns can be raised confidentially by contacting: [email protected]
Reports should be made honestly, factually, and without malice. ICI may be limited in what it can investigate or act upon, especially where a concern relates to a venue, employer, or person outside ICI membership or recognition. However, concerns may still help identify patterns, improve guidance, or inform professional standards work.
Retaliation against individuals who raise concerns in good faith is not supported.
Code-related questions or concerns can be raised confidentially by contacting: [email protected]
Reports should be made honestly, factually, and without malice. ICI may be limited in what it can investigate or act upon, especially where a concern relates to a venue, employer, or person outside ICI membership or recognition. However, concerns may still help identify patterns, improve guidance, or inform professional standards work.
19. Review and updates
This Code may be reviewed and updated periodically to reflect evolving practice, guidance, and experience within indoor cycling.
Instructors, studios, and stakeholders are encouraged to refer to the latest version published by the Indoor Cycling Institute.
Instructors, studios, and stakeholders are encouraged to refer to the latest version published by the Indoor Cycling Institute.
20. Relationship to other ICI standards
This Code is part of the wider ICI Professional Standards Framework.
It should be read alongside:
Indoor Cycling Instructor Scope of Practice
ICI Safety Standards for Indoor Cycling Sessions
ICI Cadence and Intensity Guidance
ICI New Rider Onboarding Standard
ICI Guidance for Studios and Operators
ICI Incident and Near-Miss Reporting Guidance
Together, these documents support safer, clearer, and more professional indoor cycling practice.
It should be read alongside:
Indoor Cycling Instructor Scope of Practice
ICI Safety Standards for Indoor Cycling Sessions
ICI Cadence and Intensity Guidance
ICI New Rider Onboarding Standard
ICI Guidance for Studios and Operators
ICI Incident and Near-Miss Reporting Guidance
Together, these documents support safer, clearer, and more professional indoor cycling practice.
